About storytelling in Michigan or including Michigan storytellers. This includes links to find local Michigan, regional, & national storytelling organizations. Other issues of interest to lovers of storytelling in Michigan also are found here. Be sure to visit the Bulletin Board page for the latest information.
An important part of this website is the regular posting & archiving of issues of the email newsletter, "MI Story."

• In the Dark: info is sketchy but Beach Bards are probably back at the beach at the Leelanau School, north of Glen Arbor on Fridays at 8:00 pm. Bring your chair, blanket, flashlight & spoken (not written) story or poem. I’ve heard a rumor that you can hear stories on the Tall Ship Malabar in Traverse City during the summer.

• Room for you… Detroit Association of Black Storytellers has space on their bus to 30th Annual National Black Storytelling Festival & Conference in Baltimore Maryland (November 14-18, 2012.) The 2012 theme is “Coming Home…Our Family Tells Stories!” Round trip from Detroit to Baltimore is $150.00 departing Tuesday, November 13th & returning Sunday November 18th. Reserve your seat today with a deposit of $50.00 with balance due August 1. For further information contact Marie Sims at 313 866-6607

2012

JULY 2012

July 1, Cincinnatti, OH 2:00 pm

“Celebration Concert” presented by the National Storytelling Conference! This year only, it’s in our own backyard. You can come for the concert only with tellers TBA or come for the whole day for workshops, showcase performances by storytellers from around the nationa. Michigan presenters are Yvonne Healy, Barb Schutzgruber and Judy Sima. SENIOR Discount & STUDENT Discount available. Info: www.StoryNet.org

July 3, Almont 1:00pm

Picnic Day at Skyline Camp and Retreat Center. Judy Sima will tell stories for kids of all ages as part of the festivities for this outdoor family event. Open to the public, free admission. 5650 Sandhill Road, Almont, between Bordman and Hough. www.campskyline.org. 810.798.8240.

Detroit Association of Black Storytellers presents stories of the people and places of Paradise Valley in the Beatrice Buck Park across from the Virgil H Carr Cultural Center, 211 E. Grand River. For schedule of tellers call the DABS hotline. 313 442-3227

July 7, Elk Rapids 9:00 pm

Stone Circle Gatherings Saturdays 6/23 - 9/1. Poetry, storytelling and music are featured at this unique outdoor amphitheater. Poet bard Terry Wooten hosts. Bring your own chair, blanket & flashlight.Stone Circle Drive is a right turn ten miles north of Elk Rapids off US 31. Turn right on Stone Circle Dr., then follow signs. $5/adults, $3/kids. terry-wooten.com 231-264-9467 stonecir@aol.com

July 7 & 8, Detroit

Historic Fort Wayne Civil War Days, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., Civil War reenactments including Lois Sprengnether Keel as Liberetta Lerich Green telling of her brothers in Michigan's "Fighting Fifth" Infantry and the family's Underground Railroad Station in Shelby Township. Secured, on-site parking is $5.00 per car at the Fort, 6325 West Jefferson. For details and more information,

July 7 & 8, Ontario

Michigan’s Yvonne Healy is featured telling stories in Irish Gaelic as well as English. Oireachtas na Gailge, the international Irish language and culture festival, returns to the North American Gaeltacht in Tamworth, Ontario. Food, fun, competitions, singing, dancing, storytelling, craft workshops and evening ceilidh (party) each night. Info: www.oireachtas.ca

Detroit Association of Black Storytellers presents stories of the people and places of Paradise Valley in the Beatrice Buck Park across from the Virgil H Carr Cultural Center, 211 E. Grand River. For schedule of tellers call the DABS hotline. 313 442-3227

July 14, Elk Rapaids 9:00 pm

Stone Circle Gatherings Saturdays 6/23 - 9/1. Poetry, storytelling and music are featured at this unique outdoor amphitheater. Poet bard Terry Wooten hosts. Bring your own chair, blanket & flashlight.Stone Circle Drive is a right turn ten miles north of Elk Rapids off US 31. Turn right on Stone Circle Dr., then follow signs. $5/adults, $3/kids. terry-wooten.com 231-264-9467 stonecir@aol.com

Detroit Association of Black Storytellers presents stories of the people and places of Paradise Valley in the Beatrice Buck Park across from the Virgil H Carr Cultural Center, 211 E. Grand River. For schedule of tellers call the DABS hotline. 313 442-3227

July 21, Elk Rapids 9:00 pm

Stone Circle Gatherings Saturdays 6/23 - 9/1. Poetry, storytelling and music are featured at this unique outdoor amphitheater. Poet bard Terry Wooten hosts. Bring your own chair, blanket & flashlight.Stone Circle Drive is a right turn ten miles north of Elk Rapids off US 31. Turn right on Stone Circle Dr., then follow signs. $5/adults, $3/kids. terry-wooten.com 231-264-9467 stonecir@aol.com

Everyone has a great time when Judy Sima tells stories at the Watervliet District Library. “Dream Big,” Watervliet District Library, 333 N. Main St., 269-463-6382.

July 26, Troy 2:00 pm

Troy Historic Village presents “Blarney” a program of Irish stories by Yvonne Healy as part of its Summer Thursday Teas at Two. 60 West Wattles Road, Troy, MI. Info: www.TroyHistoricVillage.org

July 26, Ann Arbor 7:00 pm

Entre-SLAM is a fun, painless way to meet and connect with your tribe and learn from the experiences of others without it feeling like work. Come enjoy a fun, club environment with great food, drinks, music, and inspiring stories told by some of the most creative, dynamic folks in A2—entrepreneurs. Located at LIVE Ann Arbor on the corner of First St. and Huron. $10 pre-paid entry fee. Cash bar. Pre-paid dinner orders available from Mark’s Carts (see website) REGISTER ONLINE: www.entreslam.com

July 28, Detroit 1:00-2:00 pm

Detroit Association of Black Storytellers presents stories of the people and places of Paradise Valley in the Beatrice Buck Park across from the Virgil H Carr Cultural Center, 211 E. Grand River. For schedule of tellers call the DABS hotline. 313 442-3227

July 28, Elk Rapids 9:00 pm

Stone Circle Gatherings Saturdays 6/23 - 9/1. Poetry, storytelling and music are featured at this unique outdoor amphitheater. Poet bard Terry Wooten hosts. Bring your own blanket or chair and flashlight. Stone Circle Drive is a right turn ten miles north of Elk Rapids off US 31. Turn right on Stone Circle Dr., then follow signs. $5/adults, $3/kids. terry-wooten.com 231-264-9467 stonecir@aol.com

“Can’t live with ‘em; can’t kill ‘em.” Adults and teens invited to enjoy stories of the comedy and challenge of family as Yvonne Healy reminds us that “Family Matters.” Allen Park Library, 8100 Allen Road, Info: 313-381-2425.

AUGUST

August 3-5, Dublin, OH

Take a one of a kind day trip to Dublin Irish Festival where Michigan’s Yvonne Healy returns yet again as featured Irish storyteller. Bands traditional and contemporary Celtic rock, a kids area, dancing to learn or watch, great food, unique gifts in a lush and comfortable park. Music by Gaelic Storm, T with the Maggies, Eileen Iver, Makem & Spain Brothers, John Whelan, etc. Schedule TBA at www.DublinIrishFest.org

August 4, Gladwin 1:30 pm

Midland Area Story Tellers (M.A.S.T.) invites you to it's annual Stone Cottage Garden storytelling concert from 1:30-3:00 pm. Location address is 3740 Willford Road, Gladwin, MI, 48624Questions can be directed to Carol Garner 989-773-1603 or sdcagarner@yahoo.com. Info about the venue can be answered at stonecottagegardens@ejourney.com

August 4, Detroit 1:00-2:00 pm

Detroit Association of Black Storytellers presents stories of the people and places of Paradise Valley in the Beatrice Buck Park across from the Virgil H Carr Cultural Center, 211 E. Grand River. For schedule of tellers call the DABS hotline. 313 442-3227

August 4, Elk Rapids 9:00 pm

Stone Circle Gatherings Saturdays 6/23 - 9/1. Poetry, storytelling and music are featured at this unique outdoor amphitheater. Poet bard Terry Wooten hosts. Bring your own chair, blanket & flashlight.Stone Circle Drive is a right turn ten miles north of Elk Rapids off US 31. Turn right on Stone Circle Dr., then follow signs. $5/adults, $3/kids. terry-wooten.com 231-264-9467 stonecir@aol.com

Detroit Association of Black Storytellers presents stories of the people and places of Paradise Valley in the Beatrice Buck Park across from the Virgil H Carr Cultural Center, 211 E. Grand River. For schedule of tellers call the DABS hotline. 313 442-3227

August 11, Elk Rapids 9:00 pm

Stone Circle Gatherings Saturdays 6/23 - 9/1. Poetry, storytelling and music are featured at this unique outdoor amphitheater. Poet bard Terry Wooten hosts. Bring your own chair, blanket & flashlight.Stone Circle Drive is a right turn ten miles north of Elk Rapids off US 31. Turn right on Stone Circle Dr., then follow signs. $5/adults, $3/kids. terry-wooten.com 231-264-9467 stonecir@aol.com

August 18, Detroit 1:00-2:00 pm

Detroit Association of Black Storytellers presents stories of the people and places of Paradise Valley in the Beatrice Buck Park across from the Virgil H Carr Cultural Center, 211 E. Grand River. For schedule of tellers call the DABS hotline. 313 442-3227

August 18, Elk Rapids 9:00 pm

Stone Circle Gatherings Saturdays 6/23 - 9/1. Poetry, storytelling and music are featured at this unique outdoor amphitheater. Poet bard Terry Wooten hosts. Bring your own chair, blanket & flashlight.Stone Circle Drive is a right turn ten miles north of Elk Rapids off US 31. Turn right on Stone Circle Dr., then follow signs. $5/adults, $3/kids. terry-wooten.com 231-264-9467 stonecir@aol.com

Detroit Association of Black Storytellers presents stories of the people and places of Paradise Valley in the Beatrice Buck Park across from the Virgil H Carr Cultural Center, 211 E. Grand River. For schedule of tellers call the DABS hotline. 313 442-3227

August 25, Elk Rapids 9:00 pm

Stone Circle Gatherings Saturdays 6/23 - 9/1. Poetry, storytelling and music are featured at this unique outdoor amphitheater. Poet bard Terry Wooten hosts. Bring your own blanket, chair and flashlight. Stone Circle Drive is a right turn ten miles north of Elk Rapids off US 31. Turn right on Stone Circle Dr., then follow signs. $5/adults, $3/kids. terry-wooten.com 231-264-9467 stonecir@aol.com

August 30, Troy 2:00 pm

Troy Historic Village presents Thursday Teas at Two with Judy Sima presenting "In the Jewish Tradition." Judy gives voice to the traditions of her people – their wisdom, humor, warmth, and “sechel” (native good sense). 60 Wattles Road at Livernois. Call Stephanie Suszek for reservations. 248-524-3598.

WELCOME!

Here you will find information about storytelling in Michigan or including Michigan storytellers. This includes links to find local Michigan storytelling, national, & regional organizations. Other issues of interest to lovers of storytelling in Michigan also are found here. Be sure to visit theBulletin Board page for the latest information.

An important part of this website is the regular posting & archiving of issues of MI Story. MI Story is published by: Yvonne Healy, Editor-in-Chief; Judy Sima, Distribution Editor; Lois Sprengnether Keel, Webmaster.

To view the current issue or a past issue of MI Story, click on the Recent Posts of interest.

51% or greater Spoken Word/Narrative;

open to the General Public;

feature either Michigan storyteller or Michigan location.

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Transition of MI Story Archive

This site has moved to Blogger while keeping the domain name of http://www.michiganstorytelling.org . Because all issues prior to this move were added at one time, the listing of the first two years' issues is misleading. To find each individual month for those initial two years, look under April, 2010.

About Me

For the best overview of my work, go to my website at http://www.LoiS-sez.com, however you will find me in many places beyond that!

My storytelling takes you Around the World & Back Through Time with folktales to match your topic or historical reenactments. While most of my storytelling has been in Michigan, I've told in other states, the territory of Puerto Rico, plus Canada, Jamaica, the Dominican Republic, & St. Kitts. My Theatre undergraduate degree influences my storytelling & graduate degree in Library Science leads me to research widely. Starting in 1970, I've years of storytelling experience. Until 2006, this was combined with librarianship. That year I was accepted into the MI performing arts touring directory & left Mount Clemens Public Library (where I was in charge of Children's Services) for full-time storytelling. My current listing with MI Arts & Humanities Directory was renewed & runs through 2018. My passion for supporting storytelling includes storytelling organizations, hosting http://MichiganStorytelling.org & founded Mt.C. Raconteurs & North Oakland County Storytellers, serving their 1st 2 yrs. as president. I was also a long-time active member of Flint Area Story Tellers. FAST and the Raconteurs are currently dormant. I also love to teach storytelling. I believe exposure to storytelling is critical to the acceptance of this art & foundational to language skills. Online I am an assistant administrator for the international network of storytellers at http://professionalstoryteller.ning.com. I'm the National Storytelling Network's Michigan State Liaison and for many years was on the Board of Youth, Educators, Storytellers (Y.E.S.!) Alliance as their webmaster. I also am a certified WordWeaving instructor, a teaching method especially suited to teachers & librarians, but useful for any beginning storytellers. I've training from V.S.A. Arts & have done both residency & special event work for this organization focused on bringing the arts to the disabled. I wrote a portion of the book, Tell the World; Storytelling Across Language Barriers, compiled & edited by Margaret Read MacDonald. My chapter was about telling with Sign Language.

Besides my website there's my blog of research topics related to my work at Storytelling + Research = LoiS and now includes a Civil War Sesquicentennial blog, Michigan's "Fighting Fifth" Infantry, where I posted the newspaper articles about this regiment which has been little documented, but was part of the reason Abraham Lincoln said "Thank God for Michigan!" as they engaged in most major battles of the Civil War. I hope you visit both the blog and my website, http://www.LoiS-sez.com.